Sunday, July 13, 2008

I let my girl go today...

Melanie went on her first camp adventure today. I don't necessarily think a child "needs" that time in their life...especially at the the tender age of 10...but the fact that the camp is only 3 days long, and is being put on by a really good church, and that it's a relatively small group of kids attending, I was a bit less apprehensive saying OK. I never went to summer church camp as a pre-teen...I did attend missions trips with my youth group but even then...I was a momma's girl...didn't enjoy being away from home for too long...

All this to say, I'm really just trying to justify Mel's departure in my mind.

I will explain below...



This is the crew of kids...in their departure ceremony...we just made it in time...I dropped her off early and had to head back home to get all the guys in our house...Mel and Maddie's counselor, Miss Nicole, is the chick in purple at the very left handed side of this picture.

This is Mel running thru the tunnel of parents...




Here she is with her pal, Maddie...I didn't even get to hug her good-bye. I didn't know that once they made it thru the tunnel, that they were heading right out to the buses...I sobbed a bit but sucked it up so she didn't see me! She held it together all right but I could tell she was struggling. What have I done? Please, Lord, keep her safe, Please Lord, watch over her. Please Lord, help her to learn so much...making this trip so memorable. Please Lord, remind me not to do this again. for a while anyway!



Bye Bye Mel-Mel...there goes the bus! sniff sniff. sob....waaaaa.







Guess who got a haircut today? Yes, there was a boy under allllllllll that hair! and he's so handsome!





Guess who else got a hair cut? Yes, there is a handsome hunk of a boy under all that coarse hair as well! He had just gotten done on the elliptical hence the redness! this is not a very flattering pic of E, sorry kid! he refuses to smile willingly in pictures!







Guess who is a sick boy today? Poor Willi Vanilli! puny and icky. He really needed a hair trimmin' as well!






Guess who is a busy body, causing me to really, really appreciate all the help that Mel is to me??

David is in the background, and yes, he is clothed...he just has his shirt off since he had just cut his own hair!

Guess who was in town this weekend? our good friend, Randy...here for a visit this weekend....

Well, now it's Monday...Mel is away, hopefully having the time of her life! I didn't get a call so she must be doing ok. In doing my "this and that" stuff yesterday afternoon (Sunday), I realized just what a big help Miss Mel-Mel is to me...and not only that but how she does it so willingly! She is really an awesome and unusual kid. She likes to help out, she likes to be needed, and she is such a good daughter and sister! She helps with out grumbling (mostly) and joyfully! Man, I miss her.

Will was sick all day yesterday. We had eaten Long John Silver's (we rarely eat it) with our friend Randy Sat. night (thanks for dinner, Mr. W). It didn't sit well with Will..and it shouldn't, that is some rich, greasy food. A treat for sure! So he was sick, Levi, E, David and Randy all got their hair cut by Barber David. Molly is so pesky. Have I mentioned that? E, David and I all exercised, swam, and went to hang out at Jeff's house.

Those of you that know how muuuuch Levi likes getting his hair cut will pleased to know that he did very well! He didn't even cry, which in turn causes him to end up eating his own hair etc. He is growing up! E. was so relieved to get that mop of hair off of his head. He said he felt a lot lighter.

Today, we have our Science Club down at the lovely Donna's! Will is coaching at Mt. P's soccer camp so we will be late to class. I am making bread this morning, Molly is in her crib playing with her jungle toy, E. and Levi are getting up, David is on his way to work and MELANIE IS AT CAMP. (she's only one hour away, give or take a few minutes)....so I will try to get back on here later to bore you again with more of my snooze-a-palooza pictures.

Lots of love to y'all!

6 comments:

Tory said...

I am so proud of you for letting her go! You did the right thing. I went to junior camp when I was 11 (just about Mel's age), and although, I was a momma's girl...I LOVED it! It was just enough time for me to have fun and appreciate my parents because I had missed them. Be strong, and before you know it, she will be home. Hope you had fun, and I will be waiting to see your updated blog.

Anonymous said...

BYE MEL!!! I tried to call you yesterday because i knew that mel was leaving and i wanted to tell her goodbye and to have fun..I'll tell her when she gets back. Looks like you had a busy weekend. I couldn't get a hold of you at all. Miss you. Talk to you Monday, I'm sure...? off to finish up baths and GO TO BED!xoxo

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain! :) It's a big step and I'm sure a well deserved adventure for Mel. Some would call me nerodic(spelling??), but I went with each of my kids on their first week long church camp adventure! I grew up going to camp and wanted them to love it as much as I always did. While they are very well adjusted kids, they had never been away from home without any family member with them. It was good for all of us to go with them the first time, but I've never gone with them again. Now they very much look forward to camp and love it! You have to know your own kid and know what they need when going through a big first experience like overnight camp. Good for Mel and Good for Mama - the girl is growning up! :)
-Mel Cunniff

Heather said...

Hang in there! You'll be okay. She'll be okay, too. (please tell me the same when I'm going through withdrawl from my kidlet/s)

Anonymous said...

glad to read that you made it through the night and only have a few days left til Mel is home!
Love, Linda

Tory said...

What did you do? Edit your post? Mom wss looking at it with a confused look on her face, and asked me if I had seen today's blog. Well, that's a good one...you fooled us. So, glad to hear that Will's illness was short-lived. And, I know what it's like for boys to cry when they get their haircut...there were a couple at school. And, they were the sweetest little boys, but they always said that the clippers "hurt". And, with the musical talent that Levi has, he is probably much more sensitive to vibrations and such. But, as his noggin gets a little bigger and continues to develop, I think he will be fine.